Starting from the depths of her bedroom in high school, Clairo began her journey as an artist with her lo-fi pop melodies, uploading her music to the likes of SoundCloud and Bandcamp. Her debut album Immunity started as an extension from the bedroom pop she seemed to be well-versed in, showing more of a depth into the indie pop/rock side of the album. In 2021, Clairo presented the world with Sling, an album that strayed from the soft pop that her fans expected and instead embraced a new angle of folkish and vintage tracks, leaning into the genre of baroque pop and alternative balladry.
Now leaving the folkloric moodiness of Sling behind, Clairo has entered a realm of uplifting sonic creativity with Charm, as she settles into her new exploration of soft rock – conveying a personal yet undeniably relatable track list. Whilst mastering different sounds throughout her albums, Clairo never seems to miss the mark, embracing each new sound with her notably gentle and soothing voice, serenading her listeners with whimsical trills and lulling vocals, as she charms her way through the album’s lullabies.
Beginning the album with “Nomad”, Clairo encapsulates that beautifully wistful feeling you get looking out of the window on a train going through the countryside. Despite its cliché nature, she gracefully captures that inherent want to go anywhere and everywhere. “Sexy to Someone” is for the girls who are itching for a slice of romance, aching to sit alone, looking sultry and playing a game of eye contact across the bar. The artist’s lyricism in the line “oh, I need a reason to get out the house” portrays a guilty dependence on romance and affection that is all too relatable to a girl in her twenties.
“Juna” embraces the idea of comfort in one’s own femininity, while “Echo” holds more of a unique sonic approach to its topic of a one-sided or secret relationship, using captivating synths to create a more unsettling sound. Clairo closes the album with “Pier 4”, ending with solemn and softening harmonies that delve into the singer’s own self-discovery as she journeys through the album. The song captures the essence of Charm, doting on the elusive and often volatile nature of a meaningful connection.
Clairo has managed to curate yet another soundtrack to every girl’s stream of consciousness, as she helps us to navigate our way through the thoughts, feelings and emotions of our twenties. Acting as an elite album to soundtrack a long journey, Charm has got us thinking ‘thank god I’ve never got over anything in my life ever’.